In March 2017, eight employees of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) radio stations LA RAZA (KLAX 97.9 FM) and MEGA(KXOL 96.3 FM) were unlawfully terminated in retaliation for exercising their right to unionize. Today, SAG-AFTRA announces that it has reached a settlement with SBS worth almost half a million dollars. Attorneys for both sides negotiated on the courthouse steps while an imminent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) trial and threat of a federal court 10(j) injunction loomed over SBS. In October, the NLRB issued a formal complaint against SBS after finding merit to a myriad of serious unfair labor practice charges filed by the union against the media company for discharging employees in retaliation for their union activity and engaging in egregious bad faith surface bargaining during first contract negotiations.

Under the agreement:

All employees receive full backpay, interest and expenses through January 14, 2018

SBS offered the choice of reinstatement or significant front pay to all eight employees, and most chose to return to work to their former positions at SBS. A few elected to move on and receive front pay.

The agreement provides that SBS must engage in good faith bargaining with the goal of obtaining a collective bargaining agreement, and requires a rigorous bargaining schedule. SBS has agreed that by mid-January, it will provide to SAG-AFTRA an economic proposal, including specific dollar figures for wages and fees to be paid to bargaining unit members.

Said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, “This is a significant victory for these union members and an incredible symbol of hope for workers fighting for economic justice across our country. This win sends a message—loud and clear—that employers will not be able to get away with terminating employees who exercise their right to unionize. We still have a hard fight ahead to achieve a fair union contract for the reinstated SBS employees and their co-workers, but we are optimistic that we will prevail. SAG-AFTRA will not rest until there is justice at SBS.”

Adds SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White,“Our team fought hard to ensure that the unlawfully terminated employees would be able to exercise their right to reinstatement, but our work isn’t done. We are ready for the next steps and look forward to returning to the bargaining table in January to ensure that these professionals obtain a just contract.”

“I feel completely vindicated, happy and strong that the fight was worth every second, every tear and every drop of sweat,” said Felix Castillo, “DJ Mr. Boro,” an on-air SBS talent. “We have a lot of work to do. We have to achieve industry wide changes but I am very happy that SBS Los Angeles was the first step and I am looking forward to being a part of the lasting change in the radio industry.”

“On behalf of the team, I want to say thank you to the community for supporting us. We feel very blessed that our federally protected right to unionize has been recognized. We are excited for the next chapter of our professional lives and intend to achieve a contract with SBS. We hope our experience inspires those living in the shadows to step up,” said Erika Garza, “La Huerquilla,” a former SBS on-air talent.

SAG-AFTRA received immense support from the community as well as from elected officials in its fight against SBS. Leaders like Dolores Huerta, CHIRLA, the California Federation of Labor and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor wrote letters of support on behalf of the SAG-AFTRA represented employees. In addition, local elected officials were also supportive with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passing a motion, authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, indicating their stance that Los Angelenos rebuke unfair treatment and gross injustices of Latino workers in the entertainment and broadcast industry. Moreover, all Los Angeles City Councilmembers unanimously passed a resolution, authored by Councilmember David Ryu (Fourth District) and seconded by Councilwoman Nury Martinez (Sixth District), strongly endorsing the efforts of both SAG-AFTRA and the Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS).

The wrongly terminated employees will return to work at SBS in their former positions on January 15, 2018.

About SAG-AFTRASAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.